Timbers, Thorns Define Portland Sports Culture
PORTLAND – Portland, Oregon – The Rose City – is home to many things. Some say it’s where you can find the best craft beer and the greatest assortment of food trucks anywhere in the world. Many are quick to identify Portland as home to some of the world’s most influential corporations such as Nike and Intel. However, anyone who knows Portland also knows it’s a passionate sports town. From the NBA’s Trailblazers to MiLB’s Hillsboro Hops, NCAA sports at the University of Portland, Portland State University, Lewis & Clark University, nearby Salem’s Willamette University, or major statewide powers The University of Oregon and Oregon State University, people of all kinds of sports allegiance live in or around Portland.
However, there’s another kind of very special and incredibly passionate fan in Oregon, and especially in Portland, and that is the professional soccer fan. MLS’s Portland Timbers FC and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns are without a doubt Portland’s most popular professional sports teams. Their shared home, Providence Park, is an amazing venue in part due to its location and structural uniqueness, but also because the legions of passionate fans who attend the matches are unwavering in their support.
Nowhere in North American professional sports of any kind will you find a more passionate fanbase. Nowhere else in North America will you find such grand displays of loyalty. From massive tifos to seemingly never-ending songs and chants, the fans in Portland, and at Providence Park in particular, never disappoint. The Timbers Army is one of the finest support groups in all of sport. The Thorns side Riveters are equally extraordinary. In fact, the Rose City Riveters are without a doubt the greatest support group in all of women’s sports, professional or otherwise.
The Portland Timbers are currently one back below the redline, in eighth place with 24 points, only 2 points behind division rival San Jose. They compete at Seattle today in a match where a win moves the club up over the line. The western conference leading Sounders will surely prove difficult to defeat in their own home. For what it’s worth, San Jose hosts the Colorado Rapids, currently in third place in the western conference, on September 4, so the fight to stay above the redline could go on for some time. Nevertheless, the Timbers must win if they want to get into the playoffs.
The Portland Thorns present a different story. They’re the league leader. They’re in first place with a 5-point margin. They also compete tomorrow. With a relatively light 3-match September, and a moderate 5-match October, it’s likely impossible to keep the Thorns out of the playoffs. Furthermore, given just how good they are, odds favor the Thorns making a strong championship run. Their 10-match streak without a loss goes back to late June.
What are the odds that Portland becomes home to both 2021 MLS and NWSL champions? At this point, that’s tough to say; however, it very well may not be worth betting against. If you ask the fans of either of these clubs, many of whom are the same, they’ll tell you – no – they’ll show you! Experience either a Timbers or Thorns match in Portland and you’ll know the answer. You’ll know the odds. No matter what they are, you’ll feel the passion, commitment and love this city and its people have for these clubs. Have a look.
The Portland Timbers host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, September 15 at Providence Park. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7pm PST. The Portland Thorns host the Washington Spirit on Saturday, September 4 at Providence Park. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7:30pm PST.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and MLS since 2014. All images taken by Richard Kolbell for American Presswire and ©2021 Richard Kolbell for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Richard Kolbell can be found on Twitter as @bokoripa and on Instagram as @richardkolbell.
On the pitch and in the owners' suite, Inter Miami makes changes
FORT LAUDERDALE – Miami! From Homestead and Key Largo in the south, north beyond Biscayne Bay to South Beach, the Design District, up through Hollywood, and into Fort Lauderdale – keep going north to Pompano, Deerfield, Delray, and Boynton – the beach towns flanking Boca Raton are iconic and storied. And so it is that Fort Lauderdale, nestled in between Miami and Boca has become the center of South Florida’s soccer world. It is, at least for now, home to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF. As the South Florida Miami-Dade metroplex has grown over the years, so too has the greater community collectively joined under the umbrella of what is unequivocally one of the world’s most incredible cities, Miami!
It is here that Iconic footballer David Beckham placed his club, right in the middle, in Fort Lauderdale. Make no mistake, Beckham, who is also co-owner of British fourth division League Two’s Salford City FC, isn’t the only notable figure in the owners' suite. Inter Miami CF boasted no fewer than four billionaire owners when the club launched operations. Two came from the Mas family, owners of MasTec. The other two were SoftBank’s iconic CEO, Masayoshi Son and his very close SoftBank chief executive colleague, Marcelo Claure.
Pay particular attention to the tense: were. That’s important because just yesterday it was reported that the Mas brothers are seeking to buy out their SoftBank co-owners in a deal that may value the franchise at $600-650 million. Sportico’s most recent valuation of Inter Miami CF is $525 million, so the Mas brothers, reportedly offering a mix of cash and financing backed by Goldman Sachs, appear willing to pay a premium to secure Son and Claure’s reported 48% stake in the club. It has also been reported that they may seek to allow a small number of limited partners to join the group in the future. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
The Mas brothers are considered more than capable of delivering on a final stadium project that is currently known as Miami Freedom Park, so it’s possible – if not likely – that Inter Miami CF’s time in Fort Lauderdale is limited. Don’t let that deter from the experience though.
Their current home is DRV PNK Stadium. It sits just across the road from an executive airport loaded with private jets and other aircraft. It’s a short drive from the major commercial airport and international cruise terminal. The seats are pink and white like the flamingos and white sands Florida is known for. The digs may be temporary, but they’re a beautiful sight. The pitch itself may be the healthiest in the league. South Florida’s humidity and often daily rain showers make the pitch perfect in ways other field maintenance crews can only dream of. It’s truly world class.
Forget politics, forget ownership, American Presswire officially launched coverage of Inter Miami CF because the atmosphere and facilities are amazing, the club plays exciting soccer/futbol, and the entire staff, from the executives to the interns, are so incredibly professional – everything about Inter Miami CF is awesome! One more reason for initiation of coverage: during our coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the prelim stage was held at DRV PNK, and we were present. It was there, on the pitch, that we met one of South Florida’s finest sports photographers, Chris Arjoon. Not only are his images iconic works of art, but his deep knowledge of the sport, and his appreciation of every aspect of the operation, make him a priceless resource. His social media handles are included below. Follow him. Now let’s talk futbol/soccer!
Inter Miami currently sits below the redline in tenth place with 23 points. Atlanta, Columbus, and DC United all have 27 points. With 6 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses, along with an August record that includes 3 wins, 2 draws and a loss. The club may indeed be showing the signs of life needed to make a successful stretch run toward the postseason. Imagine that. After a somewhat rocky start, Inter Miami could be a dark horse contender. September will be a real test, but if the club can match their August outcomes, they may just find themselves entering an extremely heavy final stretch from a position just above the line. Wouldn’t that be something, Inter Miami in the playoffs.
After losing 0-2 on the road at NYCFC dead in the middle of August, something changed. The club outscored Chicago to post a 3-2 victory just four days after their road loss. Coach Phil Neville said the will and character of the club had “finally changed.” Some wondered if perhaps his seat was warming ever so slightly based on wat was widely perceived to be underperformance and unfulfilled expectations. Whether there was any truth to that or not, the club responded brilliantly. Rodolfo Pizarro, Victor Ulloa, and Gonzalo Higuain banded together, seized control of the match, and delivered the go-ahead goal that sealed the win. A united front was born on August 18.
Just three days later, the club seized victory again. This time, the opponent was Toronto FC. Pizarro was again the point man of a scoring attack that was unstoppable. Defeating Toronto 3-1 and doing so just three days after a gritty 3-2 victory, Inter Miami was backing up its words. Things did indeed appear to have finally changed. “We knew there was a lot riding on it,” Neville said. He continued by pointing out the fact that the club notched back-to-back wins at a critical time.
Then came the MLS All-Star break. Often a momentum sapper, the great concern was that Inter Miami would return flat, especially after Pizarro’s incredibly emotional trip west as Inter Miami’s first MLS All-Star. Not only is he Inter Miami’s first all-star ever, but he also came from the Liga MX side and had plenty of all-star praise and achievement there. Switching sides is always emotional.
Only six days after their last match, and with an all-star weekend inserted in between, Inter Miami returned to the pitch yesterday on the road in Orlando. The club earned a draw, and while they didn’t win, they also didn’t lose. For what it’s worth, it was a scoreless draw, and its possible the men up front needed rest. It’s also possible that Pizarro’s need for rest altered the chemistry on the pitch. Pizarro’s yellow card in the second half may have reduced his aggressive style, but it may also have been the result of general fatigue. Pizarro was subbed out only a few minutes after drawing the card.
Despite not winning, Neville was satisfied. About the outcome, he said, “we’re pleased.” After the brutal late August schedule Inter Miami has had, who wouldn’t be pleased with a road point and a draw? However, September isn’t going to be any easier. In fact, it’s probably more difficult. October looks to be even more difficult. Indeed, there’s work to be done to finish with above the redline.
Inter Miami’s next match is on Saturday, September 4, on the road in Cincinnati. The club returns home to DRV PNK to host Columbus on Saturday, September 11. Both matches are currently scheduled for 8pm EST kickoffs. Both matches are winnable and starting September with six points would definitely confirm that things really have changed for the best.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and MLS since 2014. All images taken by Chris Arjoon for American Presswire and ©2021 Chris Arjoon for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Chris Arjoon can be found on Twitter as @picsbrit and on Instagram as @brit__pics.
Sacramento: From The Outside Looking In
SACRAMENTO – The Pacific division of the United Soccer League’s Championship tier is both competitive and complicated. Currently led by Phoenix Rising, and with Orange County, Tacoma, and San Diego all in a distant 2-3-4 clump that could separate after the next match for any of them, the next club down is Sacramento Republic FC. Sitting in fifth place with 22 points, the boys in old glory red are five points behind fourth place, seven points behind second place, and a very distant sixteen points behind Phoenix.
USL announced the 2021 playoff structure on April 20 of this year. The top four clubs from each division will get in and play single-elimination style with the top two clubs in each division earning hosting rights. Sacramento is currently on the outside looking in. One place back below the line, but also five points back. Getting into the top four will not be easy.
Sacramento hosts division rival San Diego on Saturday, August 28, in what can only be described as a must-win match. The homecoming for former Republic FC owner Warren Smith is certainly exciting; but make no mistake, there will be generosity on the pitch. A win by the Loyal could propel them into second place, thus opening the door to the opportunity to host. They want that.
A Republic FC loss would indeed make things much more difficult for Sacramento. A widening gap to rise above the line is not what you want to see entering a brutal September stretch that includes matches at Tacoma, home-and-home versus LA Galaxy II, at Las Vegas, on the road at Mountain division leader El Paso, and at home hosting a San Antonio squad that, while hovering just off the bottom of the Mountain division, has nearly the same total points as Republic FC does.
Remember when SRFC was “Built 4 MLS” – it was once a trending social media hashtag. Those days appear long gone. The celebration of approval to join MLS was thwarted when billionaire NHL Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle pulled out. The coronavirus pandemic played a role. The sharply escalating cost of to build the new stadium in the railyards was a factor. That went from an estimated $300 million up to $400 million. Infrastructure costs nearly doubled from $27 million to $47 million. The limited partners failed to raise and deliver roughly $60 million needed to continue. Don’t forget the MLS franchise fee. What was once reportedly $50 million went up to $200 million, and that was not paid. However, things didn’t end there. To proceed, Burkle and his partner Matt Alvarez needed acquire the majority stake from SRFC’s majority owner, Kevin Nagle. That too was never completed.
Naturally, to the casual fan, the answer seemed simple enough: just find another deep-pocketed billionaire looking to become a pro sports franchise owner. If only it was that simple. Unfortunately, following the ownership and investment breakdowns in Sacramento, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league had moved forward with vetting several alternatives: Phoenix, Las Vegas and – you guessed it – San Diego! Right about now, if you’re thinking Warren Smith is a genius, you would be correct.
However, just one week ago, Garber said MLS is “really intrigued” by Las Vegas as a potential market. What’s not to be intrigued by? Las Vegas has proven to be a sustainable home for both the NFL and the NHL. It certainly has long-standing NCAA presence. The NBA has run its summer league there for some time and may very well by eyeing both NBA and WNBA franchise placement there. MLB may be eyeing similarly, and they already have a MiLB AAA franchise there. USL-C has the Las Vegas Lights there. With USA Rugby and World Rugby hosting matches there, it may only be a matter of time before an MLR franchise lands there. Let’s also not forget the recent success of the Gold Cup final. CONCACAF proved it can host a major soccer championship match for a sell out crowd in an NFL stadium, never mind a soccer-specific one at roughly one third the total capacity. The truth is, Las Vegas is the sports capital of the world, and that has nothing to do with gambling. Why wouldn’t MLS want to have a franchise there?
It’s clear that the stakes are rising. In July, it was reported that the billionaire Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, bought MLS’s Orlando City SC for $400-450 million. They sold a limited partner minority stake to the billionaire DeVoss family, owners of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
Meanwhile, NYCFC is majority owned by City Football Group, owners of iconic English Premier League side Manchester City. Their minority owner is Yankee Global Enterprises – think MLB’s New York Yankees and the Steinbrenner family. All billionaires.
Who’s next? Could the billionaire Glazer family, owners of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and EPL side Manchester United, buy into MLS? It wouldn’t be difficult for them to eye the USL Championship side’s Atlantic division co-leader (alongside the Pittsburgh Riverhounds), the Tampa Bay Rowdies. They could just as easily see a fantastic opportunity in Las Vegas.
San Diego doesn’t have its ownership whale yet though. Warren Smith and Landon Donovan have Andrew Vassiliadis on board, but they need more. Rumors have swirled for some time that Taiwanese Canadian billionaire Joe Tsai might be interested. As an Alibaba Group co-founder, he certainly has the finances. He also owns the National Lacrosse League’s San Diego Seals, and he has a 49% stake in the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. In case owning a professional box lacrosse franchise seems weird, make a note, Joe Tsai played lacrosse at Yale University. Furthermore, in case you don’t know what box lacrosse is, and you wonder what NLL is relative to the Professional Lacrosse League (PLL), the difference is simple: PLL is full field, typically outdoors. NLL is played in arena, typically indoors. If you’re thinking NFL versus AFL, you’ve got it! Box lacrosse is like arena football, but it’s lacrosse, and it’s very entertaining.
Obviously, Tsai seems like an instant leading potential to majority own the Loyal and get them to MLS. Of course, don’t count out the Glazers, not that they’ve shown any interest in MLS, Las Vegas, or San Diego at all. Nevertheless, in case that didn’t open the door enough, a wise guidance would be not to count out any billionaire. The operative qualifier, however, remains the same. It is increasingly apparent that MLS ownership is perhaps best suited for billionaires, if not restricted to that class altogether.
That brings things back to Sacramento, on the outside looking in, below the line and looking up, and straining to remain relevant in an environment that appears less friendly to their interests. On the pitch, the boys in old glory red need to win. They need to beat San Diego tomorrow, and they need to win in September. In the front office, Sacramento needs to find a new lead investor. With former California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez joining the effort to find a new backer, it’s clear that Sacramento hasn’t given up hope.
There’s an old saying, leadership trickles down from the top. It will take a series of exceptional performances and tremendous focus and discipline for the unit on the pitch to overcome the uncertainty of the unit in the clubhouse. For the fans, there’s only one thing to do: just keep showing up and cheering. On a seven-match streak without a loss, there’s plenty to be excited for and cheer on. The cub has certainly put office issues aside and played well for some time. If that continues, perhaps people the likes of the Glazers, the DeVoss family or others may be open to having a look. Sacramento hosts the San Diego Loyal at Heart Health Park on Saturday, August 28 at 7:00 PM. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, including USL and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 Ahsan Awan for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Earthquakes Cross The Line
SAN JOSE – The Earthquakes have finally crossed the line. Sitting in seventh place with 26 points, head coach Matías Almeyda appears to finally be settling in as more than just a coach. He is now becoming an effective manager. Adjustments to the roster, rotations in the lineup, and a new twist of potentially unorthodox assignments on the pitch are showing the signs of brilliant potential the club invested in by hiring him. While the MLS Is Back bubble tournament of 2020 seemed to prove his ability to succeed in the league, the 2021 season showed mixed results. The month of June was bad. A scoreless tie in Austin, a brutal defeat in Orlando and an ugly loss at home to the LA Galaxy – no one was happy. Then came July.
The club acquired Brazilian center back Nathan from Swiss Super League side FC Zurich. They parted ways with general manager Jesse Fioranelli. Change was in the air. Over five matches in July, the Earthquakes never lost. Four ties in a row paved the way to a road win over division rival Seattle on the road. Suddenly things began to look different.
Entering August, the Earthquakes traded defender Florian Jungwirth to the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club then acquired forward Jeremy Ebobisse from the Portland Timbers. While defender Jackson Yueill was away for some time with the United States Men’s National Team on the Gold Cup tournament tour, and with forward Cade Cowell called up briefly for national team duty, it seemed the Earthquakes would again suffer critical roster depletion during an important stretch. However, for the second month in a row, the Earthquakes haven’t lost. While July featured four ties and one win, August featured three ties and two wins. That 100% increase in the win column is highlighted by a win over LAFC at home and win over the LA Galaxy on the road.
For those paying attention, that’s a 10-match unbeaten streak through the MLS All-Star break. The club must now return its attention to the pitch as a busy month begins. September features six matches, four of which are at home. The two on the road are both in Texas, versus FC Dallas on September 11, and versus Austin FC on September 18. The tail-end rematches with LAFC and Seattle, both at home, will complete the most challenging test yet for this evolving club.
Almeyda is aware of the transformation. “We have been improving for a while now,” he said, and while he and the entire club probably feel they should have won more matches that they ended with ties, Almeyda is clear that he really likes how the team is playing. “We recovered our identity,” he continued. Once on the outside looking in, the Earthquakes now sit in a playoff-eligible position that, if the season were to end today, would match them up against an opponent they can not only beat, but that they have proven they can compete with, if not defeat, on the road. Almeyda knows this, the players believe this, and the fans now feel this.
The Earthquakes compete at home on Saturday, September 4 versus the Colorado Rapids. That match kicks off at 7:00pm PST.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and the San Jose Earthquakes since 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
SRFC Quails Salty After Seemingly Self-Inflicted Loss
SACRAMENTO – Wearing their new all-white California Quail kits, Republic FC, embracing their unofficial nickname, the Quails, under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Briggs, took to the pitch last night versus division leader Phoenix Rising FC. New jersey, newly branded stadium, a revenge match after last season's playoff-ending goal by Solomon Asante that was clearly a hand ball; but most of all, defense of history -- Phoenix had never beaten Sacramento on the road. Moreover, Phoenix Rising had never scored a goal in Sacramento. Their last one was during Sacramento's inaugural USL season in 2014. Then Arizona United SC, Phoenix Rising FC simply didn't exist. Of course, Sacramento would go on to win the championship that year, and they would begin their quest for elevation to MLS with a star added to the kit.
Perhaps this season was a star-worthy season. Perhaps it still is. At 2-2 with 6 points in 4 matches, Sacramento isn't out by any means. Sitting fourth in the standings with upcoming matches versus the two teams below them on the board, the boys usually dressed in old glory red have the potential to create real separation between the top and bottom four within the division by the end of the week. Albeit a bit early to be separating with any safety, a pair of wins would certainly ensure Republic doesn't fall too far behind the leaders, if not land them right up there with them.
Heading into Saturday evening though, Republic was 2-1. Six points could've become nine. That was the plan. Unfortunately, that plan never had a chance. Sacramento never got anything going. Phoenix looked every bit in command from the opening kick. Short of calling the match a disaster, it certainly felt like a waste of time. The lineup was off. The energy was off. Despite the physicality (31 total fouls), the intensity was non-existent; that is, it was non-existent on the pitch. Mark Briggs was perturbed, to say the least. He seemed salty and annoyed. He said the night was disappointing, but to be a fly on the wall in the post-match locker room would surely have been a popcorn the crunch of which couldn't mask what must have been a colorful conversation.
The worst part about the loss isn't that Republic lost. It's not even that Phoenix won. The worst part is the sense that Sacramento didn't fight. The match never got aggressive. The disciplinary summary reflects that. Three yellow cards on Phoenix, ZERO on Sacramento. The home team did not fight. While Sacramento notched 16 fouls, Phoenix tallied 15. The physicality of play was essentially even. Sacramento just never pushed the limits. Sacramento also logged half as many shots, and not a one was on target. Despite dominating the corner seven to one, everything else was even.
According to Phoenix Manager Rick Schantz, the key to the match was tempo control. Phoenix demonstrated strength and maturity by balancing tempo on the road. They didn't dominate, they didn't log lopsided minutes in either direction. They maintained possession 48% of the match versus Sacramento's 52%, but their passes were accurate 75% of the time versus Sacramento's 71%. That led to twice as many shots (13), 4 on target (versus Sacramento's 0). Phoenix had a balanced attack, a solid match plan, and they executed like a team on a mission to contend for a championship.
So what went wrong for Sacramento? Phoenix's lone goal cam in the sixty-second minute. They got their third yellow card just five minutes later. Then came the substitutions. Sacramento sent midfielder Tucker Bone in for striker Dariusz Formella. They took out defender Shannon Gomez and replaced him with Jordan McCrary. They also replaced midfielder Fatai Alashe with striker Cameron Iwasa. All of that happened by the 70th minute. In the 87th minute, Republic replaced striker Kharlton Belmar with striker Julian Chavez.
Perhaps the issue is the lineup. Perhaps some of those coming off the bench should be starting on the pitch. Perhaps some of those who are underperforming should be dealt with differently. Many an armchair manager has a theory about what would work better, who would work better, but none of them are on the pitch working with the club day after day. Mark Briggs is a solid leader. His plan is equally worthy of trust. The starting IX simply need to fight harder, draw contact, draw cards, get shots on goal, get shots on target; and of course, they need to find the back of the net.
That last point is perhaps the most important. Republic FC needs to find the back of the net, and they need to do it more than their opponents. They'll get their chance twice this week. Sacramento begins a two match home stand at Heart Health Park welcoming USL's newest championship level club, Oakland Roots SC, on Wednesday, Just 2 at 8:00 PM, and then Orange County SC just three days later on Saturday, June 5 at 8:00 PM. Both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+, KQCA My58, and Estrella TV. The June 5 match versus OCSC will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM satellite radio.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Patience, Persistence, Keys to Quakes' Season
SAN JOSE – What goes up comes down. Nothing could be more true for the San Jose Earthquakes during the month of May. Two and a half weeks ago, they were on top of the western conference standings with 9 points. They were momentarily alone, and then in a tie for first place. Now, 17 days and 3 straight losses later, they cling to the seven spot and could be pushed down one more, and below the playoff qualifying line, if Austin prevails over Nashville tonight.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Seattle Sounders, who were responsible for the Earthquakes' first loss, and who then tied them with 9 points on May 6, are now alone in first place with 17 points after a 1-1 tie versus Atlanta today.
For San Jose, the next three matches are on the road. The first match is the LA leg of the Cali Clasico versus the LA Galaxy on May 29. After a much needed pause to regroup, they travel to Austin to compete on June 19. Then they head to Orlando for a match just three days later on June 22. Then they return home to play the LA Galaxy once again, this time at home at PayPal Park. However, by the time they get home, they very well could be licking the wounds of a 6-match skid, and would surely be flirting with last place in the west.
After a cobweb-wiping wake up on the road in Houston, the Quakes turned red hot and won three straight while outscoring their opponents 9-3. That last win came courtesy of MLS's all-time greatest player, Chris Wondolowski, coming off the bench cold for the last 10 minutes of regulation play and finding just the right spot to score two goals in a six minute span. Wondo is the Quakes' most valuable player, their moral leader and their captain. He is priceless.
Since that performance, the Quakes have lost three straight and have been outscored by their opponents 6-1! That's right, the once red hot Earthquakes have only scored one goal in the past three matches. What is going on? Is it talent? Is it fatigue? Is it coaching, management or ownership? Is it just bad luck? To what should the 180 degree reversal of outcomes be attributed?
"When we won, we played fast and hard, we were aggressive and over the top. We played north-south and we made shots on goal," said one north end fan who asked not to be named. "This tiqui-taca does not work," he continued, "our talent doesn't do short passing and possession well. They punch you in the mouth and find the back of the net." Tiqui-taca refers to the classic Spanish style that involves short passing, possession, and precision channel work on the pitch.
Versus Sporting Kansas City last night, Cade Cowell was quiet, Andy Rios was ineffective, and Espinoza worked under caution after an early yellow card. Chofis was hot early, and set the tone with an early goal to send the Quakes up 1-0 (4'), but it was all Sporting KC from there. While the equalizer came soon thereafter (15'), Kansas City didn't go ahead until the second half (60' and 75').
According to another observer, the Quakes looked tired. There were quite a few hands on hips during official pauses. Perhaps it really is that simple and the team was just tired last night, but that may not explain three losses in a row, and it certainly won't explain another three. The Quakes need to turn this around.
What about the GOAT, the moral leader and captain; where's Wondo? He came on late, once again, in an apparent goal-chasing move that left a seemingly ineffective Andy Rios in while taking midfielder Tommy Thompson out. Thompson's exit clearly weakened the Quakes' transition defense, and absolutely contributed to KC's ability to move down field relatively unchallenged.
That raises the question, is there something amiss with coaching? Another north end fan, who also wished to remain nameless, said "(Keeper) JT (Marcinkowski) came off his line again and it cost him." Surely if there's an issue with this, it can be corrected. San Jose has good keepers, and has a solid position coach working the goal.
The general lineup seems to more of a sore spot with many though. Exiting PayPal Park after the match, many fans could be heard asking why Chris Wondolowski and Shea Salinas weren't starting. People asked why Brazilian international defender Judson wasn't in the lineup. Some suggested the short week and three match stretch was to blame, but others perhaps fairly pointed out that these are professional athletes in the best shape and condition of their lives. They can handle it.
It is never easy to lose. It is never easy to sink in the standings. It is never easy to fall below the line. However, fans may be better off demonstrating some patience. The season is young. There's a long way to go. While point deficits are difficult to make up, the opportunity to remain above the line is not at all lost. If the Quakes can split the record on the road by going even 1-1-1, they'' return home with 13 points and enter the second leg of the Clasico with a chance to finish exactly where Seattle is right now.
They say patience is a virtue, and while Quakes fans have been waiting a long time for a solid winning season, let alone a new star on the kit, it's too early to let the frustration and concern over a few losses derail the focus and disrupt the mission. Remember, Earthquakes never say die. When in doubt, look to the GOAT, look to the moral leader; what would Wondo do? Odds favor him doing what he has always done: practice well, be ready, and make a difference if and when the opportunity presents itself. Indeed, patience and persistence will keep the roller coaster on the rails. There's a long season ahead.
San Jose travels to Los Angeles to face the LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 29 at 4:00 PM Pacific, and returns home to face the Galaxy again on June 26 at 7:00 PM Pacific.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, and the San Jose Earthquakes, since 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Fierce, Ferocious and Nasty: Recipe of a Champion
SACRAMENTO – In high heat that narrowly missed triple digits, Mark Briggs and his Republic FC squad took the pitch versus a visiting Las Vegas Lights cub touting affiliation with MLS side LAFC. They brought a reported seven LAFC reserve players with them on what was the inaugural match day at the newly rebranded Heart Health Park sponsored by Western Health Advantage. Approximately 2000 fans were once again in attendance, including Republic FC owner Kevin Nagle and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
Despite all that firepower, the Lights lost 3-1. Sacramento got the win and the points. At 2-0, the boys in old glory red are off to a great start. Tied for first with Phoenix, and facing an Orange County club that just activated loan signings from Scottish Premiership side Rangers FC on the road in Irvine on May 22, it's imminently clear there are no easy contests. If Sacramento is to add another star to the kit in 2021, they're going to have to do something perhaps rarely distinguished as what to do in order to keep on winning. Sacramento is going to have to do exactly what they have been doing. Sure, there's always room to improve, but the physical, fast and focused way this team plays is precisely why they're undefeated.
On a night where two of Republic's more experienced talents (Cameron Iwasa, Fatai Alashe) were unavailable, it was Sacramento's outstanding forward, Dariusz Formella, who stepped up and notched both a goal (13'; his first of the season) and an assist. The goal was made possible by a laser precise assist by defender (playing from the right half) Shannon Gomez deep in the box. Although Las Vegas appeared to regain control for what remained of the half, the Republic backline, combined with an excellent goalkeeping performance by Tomas Gomez, protected Sacramento's narrow lead.
Early in the second half, Las Vegas capitalized on a penalty (51') and managed to equalize. However, Sacramento was not to be stopped. Midfielder Tucker Bone found the back of the net for the go ahead score (65') to make it 2-1, and Jaime Villarreal added a back-breaker (72') to make it 3-1.
The match featured 26 fouls, 18 of which were committed by Sacramento. Additionally, there ere a total of 5 yellow cards issued, and 4 of those were assigned to the home team. Thankfully, there were no red cards, though there may have been several incidents that likely would have drawn red just about anywhere else. One thing is certain, Republic plays tough, rough and nasty. Don't confuse nasty for dirty, the two are not the same. Nasty is how you have to be, while simultaneously physical and focused. It's a ferocity fundamental to championship contention this club may very well be capable of.
The final factor separating contenders from pretenders is chemistry, and Republic FC appears to have it. Speed of the passing game, being in the right place at the right time, intuitive relative positioning and spacing that enables accurate no-look passing and the ability to evade defenders while maintaining possession, and ultimately the ability to unselfishly position in order to collectively find the back of the net -- Sacramento has demonstrated that, and more of that, in every match.
Sacramento travels to Irvine to face Orange County SC on Saturday, May 22 at 7:00 PM Pacific. The club hosts Phoenix Rising FC at Heart Health Park on Saturday, May 29 at 7:30 PM Pacific. Both matches will be viewable on ESPN+.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Earthquakes Never Say Die
SAN JOSE - Matias Almeyda is back, and so are the members of a San Jose Earthquakes squad last seen showing signs of brilliance during the 2020 MLS is Back tournament, and then backing that up with a regular season remainder where they posted a less than brilliant 6-9-4 record. There were definite signs of improvement, and despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there was plenty to be optimistic about heading into 2021.
And so it happened, having last competed in a 3-3 tie that led to a shootout with Sporting KC that ended with Kansas City taking the points, the Earthquakes began 2021 with all the speed and strength fans witnessed the emergence of in 2020. First with a 6-1 thrashing of USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC on April 2, Then a 3-2 defeat of neighboring Oakland Roots SC on April 9, they entered MLS play on the road.
The first match vs the Houston Dynamo on April 16 ended in a 2-1 loss that really could have swung the other way but for a few calls, a few no-calls, and an errant shot on goal. The Quakes wiped away the cobwebs and got serious. On April 24, the Quakes were fast, physical and dominant in a 3-1 victory over FC Dallas accompanied by a red card (89') for the great Chris Wondolowski. Taking one for the team, setting the tone for the season, Wondo's 'Never Say Die' style is not only a sight to behold, it's a mantra and an energy to be absorbed.
And absorbed it was. The Quakes hosted DC United on May 1 in what can only be characterized as the most electrifying punch-in-the-throat power flex ever to occur on the club's home pitch. PayPal Park, formerly Earthquakes Stadium, previously known as Avaya Stadium, is where home is, and last Saturday's sabre rattle started early.
La Chofis got things going with a quick strike in the first minute of play that sent everyone erupting in cheers. It was his first MLS goal. With limited fans on hand, both the Ultras and Faultline supporters groups forced echoes off the seatbacks that filled the air. Who is Chofis, you might ask. For those who don't know, he's #9, an outstanding attacking midfielder/winger from Torreon, Mexico. His full name is Javier Eduardo Lopez Ramirez. Statistics sheets will often cite E. Lopez. Make no mistake, he is every bit the nickname earned while at Chivas de Guadalajara, he is fantastic, and he is La Chofis.
With heads spinning at how quickly the Quakes got on the board, the team played an up tempo aggressive style with as much athleticism from a backline coming up as from a frontline dropping back. It was indeed all hands at all levels across the pitch, and the Earthquakes were in clear control. A rocket from 17 year old phenom Cade Cowell (26') burned a hole through the air and lit up the back of the net. He wasn't done there. Cowell played strong, fast and physical all night, and he didn't just stay forward. He ran the full pitch and played defense as well as any forward winger in the game. Cade's footsteps literally sent vibrations across the line and to the north end wall. He is 100% Earthquake, and he embodies the Never Say Die spirit.
Keeper JT Marcinkowski played brilliantly in goal managing 18 shots, 7 of which were on target. Add nearly a half dozen set plays off the corner alone, and DCU kept him busy. A lone goal by Costa Rican international defender Jose Vazquez (31') quickly reminded the Quakes that DC was not to be blown off, but that's where it ended. From there, it was all Quakes. Not only did they control the ball and wear down the clock, midfielder Jackson Yueill added two goals (43', 85') to seal the outcome.
Not to be forgotten, center back Florian Jungwirth. Playing from back to front, and sporting the longest hair on the pitch, Jungwirth displays a raw on-the-edge energy unparalleled in backline play. With every step, he reminds opponents that he will not be beaten. His goal line save in the second half kept the match at 3-1 and all but ensured the Quakes mantra, Never Say Die.
San Jose finished the night with a dominant 4-1 statement supported by the two stars on their kit: this club is for real, and these men want the cup. It's early, and a lot can happen, but even with Wondo out due to his red card the week before, every member of the club embraced and embodied equal energy and passion. The fight is real, and the San Jose Earthquakes will Never Say Die.
The Earthquakes compete on the road on Friday, May 7 at Real Salt Lake. That match kicks off at 6:30pm PST. The club returns home to PayPal Park on Wednesday, May 12 to host the Seattle Sounders. That kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm PST.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and the San Jose Earthquakes since 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Boys in red return to the pitch
SACRAMENTO - Professional soccer is back in the capital city. After a pair of preseason matches versus MLS side Real Salt Lake and San Jose, the boys in Old Glory Red returned home to Papa Murphy's Park on April 24 to host Real Monarchs in front of a modest 2000 fans. This marked the first time fans were allowed back into the venue for a match since March 7, 2020. It was shortly thereafter that everything shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After 18 fan-free matches, save for a few friends and family toward the end of last season, some of the supporters were back. The Tower Bridge Battalion did not disappoint, and for the first time in over a year, things felt a real step closer to normal. Masks remain required, of course. With white balls of cottonwood blowing through the air like some sort of surreal spring snowfall, it was surely for the best.
The pandemic remains an issue, so everyone in attendance must remain mindful both of those on the pitch and those in the stands. Republic FC was certainly mindful of the fans in attendance, and they showed it. Early aggressive play led to an impressive in-your-face goal by Cameron Iwasa off a precision assist by Duke Lacroix (16'), and that set the tone.
Republic FC goal keeper Rafael Diaz was solid in the net until subbed (62') shortly into the second half. His replacement, Jesus Sanchez, played brilliantly and maintained the shutout. After coming on late, Sacramento's leading goal scorer last season, Dariusz Formella, made an aggressive charge with the back of the net clearly on his mind. At the last minute, he saw Iwasa to his left and demonstrated the kind of unselfish leadership the club truly needs to be successful. A quick pass to Iwasa led to another goal (89'); count it, an assist for Formella and a brace for Iwasa.
Say what you will about the match being a preseason friendly, no one plays to lose, especially not when the opponent is a regular season foe. The clubs will meet again June 9, and that score will count. Let there be no doubt, Real Monarchs will look to avenge the preseason loss. However, Sacramento's vastly improved backline and midfield anchored by one-time MLS side San Jose Earthquakes midfielder, and 2020 Columbus Crew MLS Cup champion, Fatai Alashe, were nearly impenetrable.
After the match, Head Coach Mark Briggs repeatedly said there's a lot of work to be done and a lot that needs to be improved; however, he was clear about the positives and was delighted with the outcome. "It's been a good preseason," he said, but he was quick to move on and shift the focus to the April 30 regular season opener on the road versus LA Galaxy II. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm PST.
Sacramento Republic FC returns to Papa Murphy's Park on Wednesday, May 12 to host Las Vegas Lights FC. Kickoff for that match is also scheduled for 7:30pm PST.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and Sacramento Republic FC since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2021 American Presswire. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
The Power and Paradox of Two
SACRAMENTO – Two weeks, two matches, two ties; two points up, yet two wins back. The next two matches are on the road. The power and paradox of two is profound. Sacramento Republic FC has a record of 7-1-5. Their 26 points rank second in USL Championship Group A. Reno 1868, with a record of 10-2-1, sits in first place with 31 points. With only three matches to go, Sacramento not only needs two wins to climb into first place, they need Reno to lose. Furthermore, in the third of the matches remaining, Sacramento would either need a win over Portland, or ties by both them and Reno, to finish the season in first place. The task ahead is not only complex, but also complicated. It is not enough that Sacramento wins, Reno must lose – twice!
Two weeks ago, it was Sam Werner (5’), Dariusz Formella (32’), and Jaime Villareal (74’) finding the back of the net for the boys in red. Unfortunately, a walk-off equalizer (90’) by Reno’s Aidan Apodaco spoiled Sacramento’s chance at a crucial win at a time when they were tied with Reno in Group A.
Coming off that exciting match, Sacramento’s Kharlton Belmar was selected as a striker for USL’s Team of the Week. The honor was his ninth selection honor. In addition, winger Villyan Bijev and keeper Rafael Diaz ere both nominated for Fans Choice Awards, Bijev for Goal of the Week and Diaz for Save of the Week. Both nominations stemmed from the previous week’s performance versus Orange County SC.
Indeed, this one-loss Republic FC squad is among the best in the league and ranks second all-time behind only Sacramento’s 2014 championship squad. If this squad can bring home the trophy and add a second star to the kit, perhaps a healthy debate will begin.
Sunday night, however, it was back to business at Papa Murphy’s Park. Sacramento faced a Tacoma squad they defeated previously 3-1 at home on August 15. This time was different though. Sacramento was on it is third keeper after losing Adam Grinwis earlier in the season, and then apparently sitting Diaz for undisclosed reasons. That led to MLS side Nashville SC reserve keeper (on loan) Brady Scott’s debut in the Starting XI.
At face value, Sacramento’s starting lineup last night did not make sense. Given the stakes, sticking with what worked previously would likely been advised. A new body in goal, Formella playing in a perhaps personally favored but visibly less-effective position on the left side when he is clearly stronger on the right, Rodrigo Lopez on the bench, what was the plan?
Sacramento has tremendous bench depth though, and the boys in red proved that. Tacoma scored first (3’), but Sacramento quickly regained composure and battled for possession around midfield for the remainder of the first half. The frontline was ineffective, but the backline did not yield. In fact, Republic would equalize just three minutes into the second half (48’) on a brilliant strike by Bijev courtesy of an assist from Werner.
A short time later, Belmar would put Sacramento ahead 2-1 on a penalty kick (60’). Unfortunately, Tacoma would answer and restore the tie (66’). With subs coming on, Republic neither strengthened the backline defensively, nor added striking power to the frontline offensively. Instead, substitutions focused on midfielders.
With time winding down, Republic’s backline would break again, giving up a goal (86’) to break the tie and put Tacoma up 3-2. However, just as all hope seemed lost, Sacramento’s most valuable veteran, Rodrigo Lopez found the back of the net (90’) equalizing the match once more.
Neither club made much of the four minutes of stoppage time and the match ended in a 3-3 tie. While it is always great not to lose, and getting one point is better than nothing, Reno’s 5-2 win over Portland meant they went from 28 up to 31 points in Group A, while Republic went from 25 to 26. That means Sacramento is now 5 points behind Reno. The club needs two wins to get out in front, and probably needs to win out. Meanwhile, they need Reno to lose two. That may seem like wishful thinking, but their final stretch begins with Sacramento, then they host Las Vegas, before finishing on the road in Tacoma. Anything is possible.
Sacramento competes in Reno vs the 1868 on Saturday, September 26 at 6:30pm Pacific and in Tacoma versus the Defiance on Wednesday, September 30 at 7pm Pacific. Both matches will be broadcast live on KQCA My58, Estrella TV, and through ESPN+. Republic FC wraps up the modified 2020 regular season on Saturday, October 3, when Portland Timbers 2 returns to Papa Murphy’s Park for a scheduled 7:30pm kickoff.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, and Sacramento Republic FC since their debut in 2014. Images taken by Ahsan Awan and David Barpal for American Presswire and ©2020 American Presswire unless otherwise marked. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @quackarazzi.